Side Event
Biodiversity in the Deep Sea: the Biodiversity of Seamounts and Cold Water Coral Communities
Organizer
IUCN - The World Conservation Union
Date and Time
10 February 2004 13:15 - 14:45
<br>The high seas and deep oceans comprise the largest habitat for life of Earth. The “high seas” cover an estimated 50% of the Earth’s surface, 64% of the oceans’ surface, and include the deep seabed “Area” (as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and the water column beyond national jurisdiction. <br><br> Several major decisions concerning conservation of high seas biodiversity and productivity are before this Seventh Conference of Parities to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The purposes of this side event (presentations and discussions) are to: <br><br> • Enhance understanding of the value and importance of high seas biodiversity, through an update on the latest scientific information on seamounts and cold water coral reefs by leading cold water coral expert, Dr. Alex Rogers of the British Antarctic Survey <br><br> • Facilitate understanding of the increasing risks to the biodiversity of seamounts and cold water corals, through release of the Summary Findings of a new report by independent fisheries expert Matthew Gianni on High seas bottom fisheries and their impact on the biodiversity of vulnerable deep-sea ecosystems <br><br> • Explore the role of the CBD and options for high seas biodiversity conservation, presented by Kristina M. Gjerde, High Seas Policy Advisor to IUCN’s Global Marine Programme <br><br> Dr. Marjo Vierros of the CBD Secretariat will open the meeting, and Brooks Yeager Vice President of Global Threats for WWF-US will provide closing remarks. <br><br> A light lunch will be served from 13:00. <br><br> For additional information contact: Kristina M. Gjerde High Seas Policy Advisor (Consultant) IUCN Global Marine Program ul. Piaskowa 12c Konstancin - Chylice 05-510 Poland